Anti-hate march draws Calgarians calling for change
More than 100 people attended a march against hate crimes in northeast Calgary Saturday.
A group of Pakistani-Canadians organized the event to call for an end to racism and bigotry just days after a deadly attack in London, Ontario.
They say the hatred that police believe sparked that attack isn't exclusive to any Canadian city.
"Hate crimes (are) not just the problem of that family (in London)," Shahnaz Munir said. "Hate crimes and racism are now growing day by day here."
Many Calgarians say Islamophobia, anti-Indigenous and Asian hate is only rising in the city.
Incidents earlier this year have led to residents speaking out about their own experiences. Munir says it's something many in the Pakistani community deal with daily.
"Everyone is facing it," she said. "In schools, our kids are facing it in universities, people are facing it in workplaces. Everywhere."
Association executive Muhammad Malik agreed.
"Our kids – university or school-going – they're scared to go out alone," he said.
There have been some steps taken to curb the hatred. Friday's provincial announcement aimed at protecting places of worship and gathering got a thumbs up from the association. But Saturday, they also pointed out not everyone in the community attends a mosque or a temple.
They would rather the government focus on ground-level changes that could potentially stop hatred before it can fully develop.
"Lots of speeches have been given," Munir said. "Now it's time to take action."
Black and Indigenous speakers were also in attendance at the march.
Activist Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes says as she continues to mourn the loss of hundreds of children in residential schools, she believes the country has a long way to go before "real reconciliation."
"Within the Indigenous community, we have suffered a lot of loss," she said. "We understand the sorrow. We understand the anger and the frustration. But I also want to share the hope and the light that we can make the world better for our kids."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.